Author
Topic: Conventions

Anyone attend anime conventions? I ask because I'm going to Anime North in Toronto this weekend. It will be our 5th time going, though we skipped last year so I'm EXTREMELY excited to go this year. When we first started going about 6 years ago attendance was like 10-12k, and now it's ballooned to 20K+ and they have to cap weekend passes, crazy.

Personally, I like see the cosplayers, especially the ones that you can tell put a lot of effort into their outfit.

I usually go to Sakura-con since I live in Seattle and it's right there (even did the staff thing one year, but then I decided that was way too much work and I would leave it to others...). Back when I lived on the east coast I would make the trek down to Otakon every year with members of my college anime club, but I haven't done that in a while. Otakon was my first convention (of any sort) and is kind of what got me into the whole thing so I have some fond memories of it. I'm not as regular about it but I've been to Anime Expo as well, and plan to be there this year too.

Outside of anime stuff there's PAX, of course, which I've been attending every year since like 2006. Though with the way tickets for it sell out these days who knows if I'll be able to keep doing that...

I guess I'm quite the convention vet. when I look back on it. But there's still a lot I haven't seen. One of these years I do want to attend SDCC. And I really do want to go to Comiket sometime...that ought to be a totally different experience...

I've been to every MAGFest since MAGFest IV in Charlottesville, VA, mostly because I attended university in Charlottesville and currently live in the DC area, where MAGFest has made its home the for several years. That convention is great - I've had great experiences and met awesome people; I look forward to it every year.

I've been to OtaCon, Anime USA, KatsuCon, and NekoCon exactly once each. Found them ranging from unappealing to insufferable. I'll stick to MAGFest, thanks.

I checked out Naru2u in Ottawa, ON Canada 3 years ago and it was...sad. It was small and I was expecting that, but it was inside the basement area of a Travellodge hotel, it wreaked of body odor, and was tiny, considering the price. I think it's grown slightly since then, but yeah, very disappointing. I'm quite happy with Anime North. The side is perfect for the Toronto Congress Centre, and they use the nearby hotels (literally across the street on three sides) for additional space for gaming, panels, and other activities.

I want to go to SDCC, but it sounds so...douche-y. And the tickets sell out quickly if I remember right. It almost sounds too big for its own good. I think I'd rather go to Anime Expo or Otakon.